"This is why the Pacers needed to move Paul George before Thursday's draft. Instead of heading into the first round with a clear rebuild in mind, Indiana took the supposed best player available because he fits the current roster.

"Leaf will stick as a rotation player in the NBA, but he has limited potential to grow and won't really help the Pacers in the post-PG era. Anigbogu, on the other hand, should be a force for the Pacers if he can stay healthy."

"As Sporting News' Sam Vecenie noted during the draft, Leaf could slide in perfectly next to Myles Turner as a stretch-4. Leaf provides shooting on offense, and Turner covers his shortcomings on defense. Anigbogu had a first-round grade (No. 25 on our Big Board), so no harm in taking a chance at 47. Sumner is coming off a significant knee injury, but he offers elite athletic ability and explosiveness when healthy.

"Of course, the Paul George decision still looms large over the entire franchise."

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Pacers President Kevin Pritchard speaks about the future of player Paul George, and the team's haul during the NBA draft, Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Thursday, June 22, 2017. (Robert Scheer/IndyStar)
Bob Scheer/IndyStar

"Lonzo Ball got most of the publicity for UCLA’s turnaround this season, but Leaf was just as important to their success. Leaf has the perimeter-oriented skill set that every NBA team is looking for in a power forward these days. He didn’t shoot a lot of 3s in college, but if he can extend his range out to behind the arc, he has the ball-handling and passing abilities to be a dangerous player. Defense will always be a concern for Leaf, who lacks great bulk or length, but playing next to a shot blocker like Myles Turner should alleviate some of those concerns. Just how much he ends up playing next season could depend on what Indiana does with Paul George, since last season’s starting 4, Thaddeus Young, could be following George out the door if the Pacers begin a full-fledged rebuilding project."

"T.J. Leaf is a slight, but highly athletic four man whom the Pacers hope can play around franchise cornerstone Myles Turner. He displays a deft touch around the rim and the ability to step away out to 16 feet. The key for Leaf moving forward is to extend his range out to long distance, because he will be a defensive liability and he’s not especially creative with the ball in his hands. I like the Ike Anigbogu pick more, Leaf’s UCLA teammate whom Indiana drafted 47th overall. His knees scared teams off – which led him to slip this far – but he’s a physical specimen who can instantly compete defensively."

"If you took Leaf’s basketball IQ and ability to score in a variety of ways and mixed it with Anigbogu’s defensive and physicality, you’d have a top-5 pick. Instead, Leaf’s defense and physicality leave something to be desired, while Anigbogu isn’t much of an offensive player right now. Sumner, meanwhile, is a stellar athlete and a tough dude, there are just serious questions about his ability to shoot."

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Pacers Head Coach Nate McMillan discusses the drafting of TJ Leaf, with the 18th pick in the NBA draft, Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Thursday, June 22, 2017.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar

On Leaf: Leaf is a hard-nosed stretch-four with a feathery touch from all ranges out to the corner 3-pointer. He may not have star power, but few if any players in this draft have a clearer NBA role than Leaf. The questions are about his upside and whether he was a product of a ridiculous UCLA offense. The Pacers entered the draft wanting to find the right pairing for Myles Turner, and Leaf should complement him well.

On Anigbogu: A potentially elite defender, he would have been off the board 20 spots earlier if not for worries about a knee injury popping up shortly before the draft. This is a very worthwhile spot to take that risk.

On Sumner: Sumner had first-round potential entering the season, but an injury and uneven play before it led him here. He's still a long, athletic, talented point guard with real upside, if he can make better decisions.

On Leaf: The Pacers have huge holes in the backcourt and are likely losing Paul George as well, so they could use a wing. Instead, they go with an inside/outside threat to add to their frontcourt. The fit doesn't make a ton of sense but outside of maybe OG Anunoby, any guard or wing would have been a bit of a reach.

On Anigbogu: Most had him as a first-round pick due to his size, length, and athleticism for a big man. He is very raw offensively, which is why I was surprised he came out and didn't return to UCLA. There were health concerns, but give him some time, and he could become a solid role player off the bench in a couple years.

On Sumner: This is a TBD pick since Sumner likely won't play this season as he recovers from a torn ACL. He has length and athleticism, but doesn't shoot it well.